Le Moyne Holds Off Saint Francis in Thrilling 86-84 Victory

Le Moyne's Jakai Sanders stole the show at Ted Grant Court, leading his team to a hard-fought 86-84 win over Saint Francis. Sanders' impressive performance, which included 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists, was the difference-maker in a game that saw both teams give it their all. Despite being predicted to win by 15.9 points by CHD Scout, Le Moyne found themselves in a nail-biter, with the final margin being a slim 2 points.

The first half saw Saint Francis come out strong, taking a 45-38 lead into the break. Skylar Wicks was unstoppable, scoring 27 points and grabbing 6 rebounds to keep his team in contention throughout. However, Le Moyne's Sanders and his supporting cast, including Shilo Jackson and Tennessee Rainwater, who chipped in with 16 and 14 points respectively, refused to back down. The Dolphins' 48-point second half, which included several crucial baskets late, ultimately was the deciding factor.

While CHD Scout's prediction of a Le Moyne win was correct, the margin of victory was far closer than anticipated. The Dolphins' ability to adapt and overcome a strong Saint Francis performance will be a valuable asset as they continue through their conference schedule. For Saint Francis, despite the loss, Wicks' outstanding display will be a confidence booster, and his team want to build on this performance in their upcoming games.

This win, although closer than expected, will still be a welcome addition to Le Moyne's resume. As a Quadrant 4 victory, it may not carry significant weight, but it does demonstrate the team's ability to close out games against lesser opponents. For Saint Francis, the loss, also classified as a Quadrant 4 game, will do little to enhance their tournament chances, but it does show that they can compete with teams like Le Moyne.

In the end, Le Moyne's victory will be seen as a reflection of their resilience and determination. With Sanders at the helm, they have the potential to make some noise in their conference, even if this particular win won't greatly impact their tournament prospects. As for Saint Francis, they want to regroup and try to pull off some upsets in their remaining games to bolster their own resume.